Sunday, November 25, 2012

Ever since our family got baby bombed, it's been a challenge to make time for grown up things. Sean and I know very well that this is par for the course, and we're very lucky to have so many family and friends nearby when we need a little help. Seems like everyone is in line waiting for their turn to babysit...which is a good problem to have!

Yes, the family dynamic has changed quite a bit, but we're still making time to do grown up things with each other. I believe you can't have a happy family without having a happy marriage first.

We had a lovely anniversary date at the beginning of November - totally baby free for 6 hours! We ventured to East Nashville to try Eastland Cafe and enjoyed and excellent adult meal, complete with wine. Who knew they had such a great happy hour? Our meals were fantastic and we can't wait to go back.

She had: Seared Halibut served over a butternut squash puree with a black pepper molasses and roasted root vegetables tossed with chorizo sausage.

They had: THE BEST. DESSERT. EVER. A Homemade cinnamon sugar doughnut stuffed with apple pie filling, served over white chocolate frosting and topped with a salted caramel gelatto. Damn, it was so good. I wanted to order 4 of them...just for myself.

After dinner we went to TPAC to see Anthony Bourdain's show, which was a unique one-man act, but we enjoyed it very much. It was the perfect way to celebrate 6 years of marriage with my sweetie.

Less than a week after our anniversary, it was time for another special evening as Sean had a speaking engagement at the Franklin Theatre. I wanted to be there to show my support for him and his team of Next Gen members. The theatre hosted Next Gen's theme reveal for their upcoming Three Blind Vines event. Go here to see more about it.

And finally, last night was a big night for us...a fire pit night! It was our first fireside date since having the baby. We put the baby to bed and prayed that he'd go to sleep, which he did (after much crying). With the baby monitor in tow, we bundled up and parked our butts beside the fire in the back yard...with a glass of wine, of course. We were only our for an hour or so before we got too sleepy, but it was so very special. I love sneaking in time with my man whenever we're able.

Monday, November 12, 2012

I see now...I see how very DIFFICULT it is to raise a happy, healthy, functioning family. No wonder the world is as screwed up as it is. This is nuts! And as I'm sure most new mothers do, I have a newfound respect for everyone involved in raising a child. Mothers, fathers, grandparents, caretakers and teachers...

I used to cringe when I hear babies screaming in public. Now I breathe a sigh of relif and say to myself, "Thank God it's not mine..."

I mean, we MADE a baby...he LIVED inside my BODY...You think it would be the most amazing and gratifying thing to hold him and love him and care for him. NOPE. He's trying his damndest to get voted off the island.

Sometimes I like him. Just sometimes. The rest of the time I'm praying to God to help me get through the next hour without having a meltdown myself.

Any parent reading this surely knows what I mean. This tiny and precious 11 pound being has the ability to instantly turn into some kind of posessed thing that screams bloody murder in your face, scratches you, kicks you and clearly doesn't appreaciate that you're trying to keep him alive.

In addition to the calming lullaby CD playing in his room, there is another track going on in my head. It goes something like this: You'll get through this. This is only temporary. He doesn't know that he's evil. He's just a baby. You don't need sleep. Who needs sleep? Don't move or you'll wake him up. Just pee on yourself in this chair. The smell will go away eventually. Whatever you do don't wake him. Just love him and hold him and rock him. He needs you. There's a good boy in there somewhere. One day you'll forget this ever happened and you'll really love him. One day. One day you'll play with him and he'll laugh and say "I love you, Mommy." I hope. Right? Yes...he will. Okay, just 10 more minutes and then you can call for Sean to come save you.

I see now how kids can ruin a marriage. I see how parents can flip out on their kids, lose their patience, yell, scream and yes, even hit their kids. (For the record, I don't plan on doing any of these things.)

I'm a relatively normal person. I'm of sound mind and body, and yet, he is making me LOSE. MY. MIND. Sean's too. My Sean is the most patient and calm person I know and, yes, even he has been beaten down by the little baby.

We're living on hope for a peaceful tomorrow. There are easy days and there are really hard days, but every day is a good day because we're alive and well and together. (and crying)